A device that completely replaces cleaning chemicals?
OZONO replaces laundry detergents, fabric softeners, sanitizers and even bleach with the use of Aqueous Ozone technology.
The OZONO OZPro laundry and cleaning system uses air and electricity to generate Ozone which is dissolved in water.
But does OZONO really work? Let's read on about how the science works.
But first...What is ozone?
Ozone, is a natural substance found in the earth's atmosphere, and is crucial for life on earth. Made of 3 atoms of oxygen (O3), ozone is also known as trioxygen or activated oxygen. The smell of ozone is reminiscent of the air after a fresh thunderstorm, as ozone is produced when lightning splits oxygen in the air.
Studies show that ozone also happens to be great at cleaning, de-greasing, removing odour and disinfecting. In fact, ozone kills micro-organisms up to 3200 times faster and 50 times more effectively than chlorine bleach.
For this reason, aqueous ozone is the choice disinfectant for high risk locations such as airports, hospitals and nursing homes.
Detergent vs Aqueous Ozone
Detergents are primarily made of petrochemical or oleo-chemical derived surfactants. These harsh chemicals bind to both the dirt and water, pulling the dirt from fabric fibres as the water is agitated. Hot water is essential to accelerating the chemical reactions of detergent, but it also speeds up the breaking of fabric fibres, leading to microfibre shedding. Unless disinfectants are added, detergents rely on hot water to destroy bacteria, viruses and mould. These hidden microbes are the cause of stale-smelling odours.
On the other hand, ozone is naturally reactive and effectively oxidizes organic matter and neutralizes microbes such as viruses, bacteria and mould. Studies have proven ozone to be effective in destroying 99.9% of viruses in under 2 minutes.
Ozone also breaks up inorganic matter such as microbes that cause odour and dirt. Aqueous ozone's gentle action and use of only cold water reduces microfibre shedding, meaning less lint to clear from your dryer and longer lasting clothes too. Once it reacts, ozone loses an oxygen atom and turns back into oxygen (O2), leaving nothing behind.
|
Detergent |
Ozone |
Not derived from petrochemicals or oleo-chemicals |
✕ |
✓ |
No added foaming agents |
✕ |
✓ |
Does not require hot water |
✕ |
✓ |
Does not need rinsing with more water |
✕ |
✓ |
No chemical residue |
✕ |
✓ |
Quicker drying time |
✕ |
✓ |
Destroys 99.9% of viruses in under 2mins |
✕ |
✓ |
Cleans and disinfects the washer |
✕ |
✓ |
Hypoallergenic/for sensitive skin |
✕/? |
✓ |
No chemical fragrance |
✕/? |
✓ |
Does not cause environmental harm |
✕ |
✓ |
Fabric softener vs Aqueous ozone
Fabric softeners work by coating fabrics with a thin waxy layer to create a smooth softness. But these waxy chemicals repel water, and cause fabrics to lose absorbency. Softeners are difficult to remove, and can even trap microbes in fabrics, leading to funky smells and stains.
If you've always wondered how hotels keeps their towels so luxuriously fluffy yet absorbent, the industry secret is ozone! When towels are washed with laundry detergent, the residual laundry chemicals settle into the fibres and cause your laundry to feel hard and rough. Ozone removes the water minerals and residual laundry chemicals - so no residue means your towels will feel as good (and soft) as new.
Sources:
Cardis, Dick & Tapp, Cameron & DeBrum, Marc & Rice, Rip. (2007). Ozone in the Laundry Industry—Practical Experiences in the United Kingdom. Ozone-science & Engineering - OZONE-SCI ENG. 29. 10.1080/01919510601186048.
Cristiano L. (2020). Could ozone be an effective disinfection measure against the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)?. Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene, 61(3), E301–E303.
Lansdown A. B. (2006). Silver in health care: antimicrobial effects and safety in use. Current problems in dermatology, 33, 17–34.